HST's Dead Carcass:Once in a great while ESPN will show some karate tournament style show where guys have to break boards or bricks, and they their weapons around really fast, yelling the whole way. I find these shows interesting, because nearly every single Karateka they show has a mustache and beer gut, and demand respect from their students.

A good friend of mine was able to get her 'first stripe' black belt in Enshin-Ryu Karate in just under 2 years. As much as I applaud her achieving her goal, I had to point out that her instructor is an overweight divorced accountant who has the hots for her. I don't question her dedication to her studies, I question her quick advancement. He told her early on he wants her to be a teacher in his school under him, and after 2 short years now, she is an instructor for his dojo.

Upon meeting the guy a few years back, we had an existential disagreement, but upon learning of my years of training in (specifically) Judo and Jiu-Jitsu, he told me he'd never spar, demo or fight against me 'as a professional courtesy'. He all but said the way I fight is more effective, but held back from it. He's a mid-50's, out of shape guy that bought his black belt, like many of the people that go to Belt Mills.

And that's where my main problem lies: belt mills. They are glorified daycare centers. Many of these courses offer classes for 'cardio-kickboxing' and the like, and I have nothing against them as an exercise regimen, it's a top notch work out, but you're not learning true self-defense. There are some true badasses in these schools, no doubt about it, but a majority of the practitioners are ill-prepared for a physical altercation.

Lord knows I had my ass kicked a few times thinking I was some badass because of my training. In time I did become some sort of badass, but I also learned as tough, fast or fancy as I was, there was always someone else who could pack and eat my lunch all damn day.

So, good on Grandma for achieving a 5th Dan. Reading the ...

For someone who knows everything about fighting, you have a lot to learn about punch lines. I read this waiting for one but finished it unpunched and slightly disappointed.